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A giant steel ball nicknamed “Damper Baby” helped shield Taiwain’s tallest building, the Taipei 101, during the recent 7.4-magnitude earthquake.

The massive yellow pendulum at the building’s centre, officially known as the Tuned Mass Damper (TMD), helped absorb the shock, and counteract the building’s movement, reducing its sway by up to 40%.

The 660-metric-tonne steel sphere is suspended over 300 metres above the ground at the building’s centre. Its main purpose is to reduce swaying by strong winds and make working in such a tall tower comfortable.

Traditional concealed damping systems are out of sight, but the Taipei 101 TMD is both functional and an aesthetic attraction. Visitors to the observation deck can even get a glimpse of the overall operation of the damping system.

According to the Taipei 101 website, the spherical damper installed in Taipei 101 moves back and forth during earthquakes or typhoons, which are common occurrences on the island. This movement absorbs the force of any intense swinging, thereby lessening the discomfort felt by those inside.

The pendulum hangs between the 87th and 92nd floors and is constructed from 41 steel layers. It’s nearly 5 metres in diameter and swings within a limit of 1.5 metres to prevent excessive movement.